Gethwana Mahlase
Trustee
Qualifications: General Nursing and Midwifery, B.A Cur (Community Health Nursing and Nursing Management), Honours Degree in Social Science Resource, Master’s Degree in Social Sciences
Gethwana has her heart set on improving Community Health and is currently completing her PhD in Public Health.
Gethwana was the sole founder of Targeted AIDS Interventions (TAI) and was the Director of this organization from 1996 until 2007. Between 1996 and 1998, she established 20 women’s groups in rural areas to initiate dialogue about family planning, STIs and HIV and AIDS with their partners. The first funding came from the Department of Health.
In 1998 she founded Shosholoza Project which is a project that received a lot of publicity both locally and abroad as it focused on how men could play a meaningful role to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS. She worked with 30 soccer teams including the National soccer Team and received sponsorship from Manchester United. It was made possible by Oxfam Australia.
In 2001, she founded Inkunzi Isematholeni Project which focused on young men in schools (between the ages of 10 years and 16 years. This was implemented in 30 schools in KwaZulu Natal. Young men had to initiate youth clubs in their schools which dealt specifically with sexuality and gender based violence in schools. Funding came from Engen Petroleum and ABSA Foundation.
In 2004 Gethwana deepened her activities in one of the communities of Greytown – (Matimatolo) where she started Sibambiqhaza Community Based Project which provides about 20 women with stipend to do community work. This was funded by Oxfam.
In 2006 she initiated yet another very innovative project called Abafana Bebhola Bayanakekela to address this problem of orphans. This was funded by the Netherlands Lottery.
She travelled extensively promoting her work locally, nationally and internationally including 21 states in Canada, Spain, London, Netherlands, Australia, Ethiopia and many other countries. Her donors included the Oxfams (Oxfam Australia, Oxfam Canada and Oxfam in the Netherlands), ABSA Foundation and Engen Petroleum. She has written and co-authored more than 15 papers on HIV and AIDS and books on AIDS. She has been featured in local and international magazines and TV Programmes.
Gethwana contributes immensely to our Child Nutrition and Food Security programme with insight and guidance for our partnership with the Department of Health.